Carbondale Reporter

BENTON, IL – State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) has served as the Illinois House Republican leader of the Literacy Improves Future Endeavors (LIFE) working group during the 103rd General Assembly. On Wednesday, Rep. Severin met with local school students and literacy leaders to celebrate a legislative victory that welcomes the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to Southern Illinois.

On Wednesday, Severin joined education leaders and students for a literacy-focused event celebrating the Dolly Parton Imagination Library that now serves students in Southern Illinois.

“As a proud advocate for literacy, a husband of a retired teacher, a former school board member, and as someone that believes readers are LEADERS, I am so proud to join with Dolly Parton and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to bring literacy services to students in Southern Illinois,” Severin said. “Every year, I sponsor a summer reading program that invites students to keep reading during the summer. Joining with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library is one more step we can take to keep kids engaged in reading and learning during their summer break.”

Rep. Severin and his House GOP colleagues serving on the LIFE working group have met several times hearing from educational advocates and interested stakeholders, taking testimony and building a comprehensive legislative package aimed at improving educational outcomes, advancing literacy, and addressing current teacher shortages that are harming students in Illinois public schools.

The members of the LIFE working group sponsored a robust legislative package that includes the following bills:

- HB 4070: Requires the Illinois State Board of Education to develop a comprehensive state literacy plan.

- HB 4067: Provides that professional development providers may offer opportunities on reading/literacy instruction.

- HR 256: Establishes May 7 through May 13 as “Read with Your Kids” Week referencing the Dolly Parton “Imagination Library.”

- HB 4069: Creates a Temporary Teacher Apprenticeship Program as an alternative pathway to licensure and establishes foreign language endorsements for those fluent in foreign languages to teach foreign language courses.

- HB 4068: Extends the sunset date for additional return-to-service for retired teachers.

- HB 1213: Creates scholarship program for teachers to get master’s degrees in order to increase dual credit courses.

- HB 4066: Creates the Parent Advisory Committee within ISBE to study and make recommendations on proposed teaching and learning standards; requires school boards to have policy in place to allow parents/guardians to review curricula and learning material.

Severin stated that counties served include Alexander, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Union, Wayne, White and Williamson.

“I’m working hard to improve literacy achievement among our young students,” Severin said. “Reading is a lifelong skill that I will continue to promote!”

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